Cedar Rapids to open flood evacuation zone Friday

Cedar Rapids city officials have announced the full flood evacuation area will be opened up at noon on Friday, meaning all residents can return to their homes and businesses

A few thousand Cedar Rapids residents had started moving back into their homes after the flood evacuation zone was reduced. The Cedar River is slowly dropping after cresting on Tuesday in Cedar Rapids at 22 feet. Taneka Smith returned to her home on Wednesday but told KCRG-TV she wouldn’t stay overnight.

“There’s been a delay with the power getting back on and gas getting back on, so just kind of waiting for that, but I’m really excited to get back into the comfort of my own home,” Smith said. Flood waters did not reach the homes in the 28-foot flood evacuation zone. Ashley Swore had moved nearly everything out his home, telling KCRG it was better to be safe than sorry.

“I am glad we did it just to be safe, I mean, I didn’t want to take the chance of losing everything again,” Swore said.

His home and his neighbor’s homes were badly flooded back in 2008. Cedar Rapids city officials on Wednesday moved back the barricades from the 28 foot flood stage to the 24 foot flood stage meaning 2,500 homes and businesses had the clear to move back.

The Cedar River in Cedar Rapids is forecast to drop below the 16 foot “major flood” stage by Friday afternoon. More information is available at: www.cedar-rapids.org